10 Fun Facts About Dom Pérignon

How much do you know about Dom Pérignon? 

When it comes to luxury, celebration, and pure sophistication, few names in the world of wine come close to the same level of prestige as Dom Pérignon. Whether you're raising a toast at a milestone event or simply indulging in a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it is the Champagne that sets the gold standard.

Here are 10 fun facts that will deepen your appreciation for this legendary vintage Champagne:

1. Dom Pérignon was Named After a Benedictine Monk

   Dom Pierre Pérignon was a real person, a cellar master at the Abbey of Hautvillers in the Champagne region from 1668 until he died in 1715. His contributions to winemaking were truly revolutionary. He pioneered the art of blending grapes from different vineyards to create a more harmonious and consistent wine, a process known as “assemblage.”

   
   

   He also championed the use of stronger bottles and corks, which were vital for containing the pressure of the secondary fermentation that creates the bubbles. He was even one of the first to master the art of producing clear white wine from black grapes, such as Pinot Noir.

   
   

   However, historical records suggest the sparkling method was already in use by the English at least a decade before he began his work. Many believe Dom Pérignon's initial goal was to prevent the bubbles from forming, as the pressure often caused bottles to explode. His genius lay not in discovering the bubbles but in mastering the process of making them safe, stable, and a hallmark of quality. So, while he didn't invent champagne, he undeniably raised it to a new level of artistry.

   
   

2. A Vintage-Only Champagne

   This is a defining characteristic of Dom Pérignon and one of the key reasons for its prestige and price. Unlike many other champagnes that blend wines from different years (known as non-vintage or NV) to maintain a consistent house style, Dom Pérignon is exclusively a vintage champagne. This means that every single grape used to make the wine comes from the harvest of a single, exceptional year.

   
   

   This commitment to the vintage model is a bold one. It means that in years where the harvest is deemed anything less than perfect, a Dom Pérignon vintage is simply not produced. The decision rests on the shoulders of the Chef de Cave, or Cellar Master, who must determine if the grapes possess the quality and character required to create a wine worthy of the Dom Pérignon name. This dedication to quality over quantity means that only about six or seven vintages are released per decade, making each bottle a rare and unique expression of a specific year's harvest.

   
   

3. A Perfectly Balanced Blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

   Dom Pérignon is a masterful blend, or assemblage of two of the three main Champagne grape varieties: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. While the exact proportions can vary from vintage to vintage to best express the unique character of the harvest, it is always a careful balance of these two grapes.

   
   

   Chardonnay provides the wine with its elegance, freshness, and citrus notes, as well as its creamy texture and aging potential. Pinot Noir, on the other hand, contributes structure, depth, and a rich, fruity character. The art of the blend is in finding the perfect harmony between these two elements, creating a champagne that is both vibrant and complex. The final blend can range anywhere from a 50/50 split to a 60/40 ratio in favor of one grape over the other, a testament to the cellar master's skill and vision.

   
   

4. A Product of Moët & Chandon

   Here's a fact that surprises many: Dom Pérignon is not a champagne house in its own right. It is the prestige cuvée of the largest and most famous champagne house in the world, Moët & Chandon. This relationship dates back to 1921 when Moët & Chandon produced the first vintage of Dom Pérignon, though it was not officially released to the public until 1936.

   
   

   The relationship between the two brands is one of mutual prestige. While Moët & Chandon has a wide portfolio of champagnes, Dom Pérignon stands alone as its flagship, a symbol of its highest level of quality and craftsmanship. The resources and expertise of Moët & Chandon have been instrumental in maintaining the consistent excellence and global presence of Dom Pérignon, solidifying its place as a luxury powerhouse.

   
   

5. Aged for a Minimum of 7 Years (and Often Much Longer)

   The aging process is an important factor in the development of Dom Pérignon's signature character. By law, non-vintage champagnes must be aged for a minimum of 15 months, and vintage champagnes for a minimum of three years. Dom Pérignon, however, far exceeds these requirements.

   
   

   Each vintage is aged on its lees (the spent yeast cells from fermentation) for at least seven years before its first release, known as its “first Plénitude.” This extended contact with the lees is what gives the champagne its creamy, brioche-like notes and incredible complexity. But the journey doesn't end there. 

   
   

   Dom Pérignon releases its vintages in three stages, or “Plénitudes,” as the wine evolves. The second Plénitude (P2) is released after approximately 18 years of aging, and the third (P3) after 25 years or more. Each release offers a distinct and magnificent expression of the same vintage, showcasing the remarkable aging potential of this wine.

   
   

6. Prince Charles and Princess Diana Toasted Their Marriage with Dom Pérignon

   No list of Dom Pérignon facts would be complete without a nod to its connection to royalty. When Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer in 1981, they chose a truly special champagne to toast their union: the Dom Pérignon Vintage 1961. This vintage was not chosen by chance; it was a deeply personal selection, as 1961 was the year that Princess Diana was born. This royal endorsement cemented Dom Pérignon's status as the champagne of choice for the world's most significant celebrations. 

   
   

7. Dom Pérignon Makes a Rosé

   While the iconic white, or “Brut,” is what most people associate with the brand, Dom Pérignon also produces a magnificent Rosé. This is a far rarer and more coveted expression, as it is only produced in the most exceptional vintages.

   
   

   The first Dom Pérignon Rosé was the 1959, and it wasn't even released commercially. Instead, it was acquired by the Shah of Iran for a grand celebration. The Rosé is made using the "assemblage" method, where a small amount of still red Pinot Noir wine is added to the white wine blend before the second fermentation. 

   
   

   This gives the Rosé its beautiful salmon-pink hue and a more powerful, sensual character with notes of red fruits like wild strawberries and raspberries.

   
   

8. Dom Pérignon Had a Different Recipe Until the 1940s

   The Dom Pérignon we know and love today is a product of continuous evolution. From its official release in 1936 until 1947, Dom Pérignon was not made from a unique, dedicated blend. Instead, it was a vintage Moët & Chandon that was aged for an extended period and then transferred into the distinctive Dom Pérignon bottles.

   
   

   It wasn't until the 1940s that the house made the decision to create a separate, unique blend specifically for the Dom Pérignon brand. This decision marked a turning point, allowing the cellar masters to craft a wine with its own distinct identity, independent of Moët & Chandon's vintage releases.

   
   

9. Dom Pérignon Is a Champagne Name, Not a Champagne House

   Here’s a detail that surprises many: Dom Pérignon is not its own Champagne house. Instead, it’s a prestige cuvée, a premium label produced by the historic Champagne house Moët & Chandon.

   
   

   Moët & Chandon, founded in 1743, is one of the largest and most respected Champagne producers in the world. Dom Pérignon was introduced as their prestige vintage Champagne in 1936, and it has since become a benchmark for luxury sparkling wine.

   
   

   So while Dom Pérignon has a distinct identity and loyal following, it operates under the umbrella of Moët & Chandon, which provides the vineyards, facilities, and expertise behind the brand.

   
   

10. Dom Pérignon Didn’t Invent the Champagne Method

    Although Dom Pierre Pérignon is often associated with the invention of Champagne, the truth is a bit more nuanced. He didn’t invent the Champagne method (a.k.a. the méthode champenoise or traditional method), but he did improve the quality and consistency of Champagne wines significantly.

    
    

    The method of inducing secondary fermentation in the bottle (to produce bubbles) was more of a gradual discovery, and some of the earliest innovations came from English scientists and winemakers.

    
    

    What Dom Pérignon did was develop techniques to blend grapes more harmoniously, improve corking methods, and reduce the risk of bottles exploding from internal pressure, a common problem in the early days of sparkling wine.

    So while he didn’t invent bubbly Champagne, his influence on its quality and reputation is unquestionable

    
    

    Conclusion

    Now that you’ve learned the fascinating facts, it's time to experience the taste for yourself. Whether you're celebrating a milestone, toasting a special occasion, or simply treating yourself to a moment of pure luxury, there is no substitute for the experience of a bottle of Dom Pérignon. Visit LiquorETC to shop drinks in Nigeria.